Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Provides Tips on E-Bike Safety

On an otherwise beautiful and sunny fall afternoon, a young boy in our town lost his life while riding an electronic bike. Now, many parents and children are wondering what they can do to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Growing up, many of us had bicycles that could only go as fast as our legs could move us. And while we’ve known about the importance of wearing bike helmets for quite a long time, that isn’t always enough. Some of these bikes can reach speeds of over 60 mph, making them more challenging to stop and control in emergency situations.

According to Columbia University researchers, e-bike injuries rose by 293% nationally from 2019 to 2022. That’s a startling number. State Senate President Nicholas Scutari recently announced that he will introduce a bill to make electric bike riding safer for users in New Jersey. However, even if this bill passes, it may take some time to implement. In the meantime, it’s imperative that parents ensure that their children are aware of bicycle road safety and how to handle these types of bikes.

Here are some great tips from AAA:

• Determine the right electronic bike for your child. There are three classes, with different speed capabilities and controls, and various sizes, so ensure the fit is right for your child and the weight of the bike is manageable. Wider tires provide more stability, and some e-bikes even come with parent-adjustable speed settings and speed limiters, as well as app-based monitoring.

• Ensure your child is responsible and skilled enough to handle an e-bike. Have them become comfortable and proficient on a regular bike first. If possible, ride with them, and make sure they are not easily distracted, have a superior sense of balance and motor skills, and can effectively steer and control the bike. Enrolling your child in an e-bike safety course is also a great option.
• Have them wear a properly fitting helmet. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and follow its steps to ensure the helmet fits correctly.
• Make sure they’re visible to others on the road. They should be wearing bright clothing during the day and light-colored or reflective clothing in the evenings. E-bikes should be equipped with headlights, taillights, and a red rear reflector.
• Obey the rules of the road & e-bike laws, which are often the same as those for other motorists. These include obeying traffic lights and signs, as well as knowing and observing right-of-way laws. Stopping at crosswalks for pedestrians, going with the flow of traffic, riding as close to the right edge of the road as possible, and not blocking traffic on bike trails, paths, and lanes are also critical. Explain the importance of always signaling when making turns, making eye contact with motorists, and avoiding weaving in and out of traffic.
• Talk to your kids about responsible riding. Emphasize the dangers of higher speeds, including reduced reaction times and an increased risk of loss of control and serious injury.
• Ensure the bike is in top condition & keep up with maintenance. Inspect tires, brakes, controls, and displays on a regular basis.